Where Travelers Should Go in Seoul During Seollal 2017

Happy New Year! Can you believe 2016 is officially over? Neither can we!

2017 is the Year of the Rooster and Koreans celebrate the Lunar New Year, or ‘Seollal’ in Korean, which is one of the biggest holidays in Korea. This year, Seollal is from the 27th to 30th of January.

During the holiday period, many Koreans head back to their hometown to see their families and pay respect to ancestors. As most people head out of Seoul during this time to see their families, the city that is usually bustling with people becomes a lot more peaceful and quiet.

Also, many businesses including major department stores and small local shops close during the holiday period. But don’t be in despair as travelers (or you!) can find and partake in Seollal events at many tourist attractions and destinations within and around Seoul.

Check out these destinations where you can celebrate and make the most of your trip during the Korean Lunar New Year holiday!

1. Theme Parks

South Korea’s three best theme parks, Lotte World, Everland and Seoul Landare open during the Korean Lunar New Year and theyoffer various attractions and winter-themed events like sledding, light shows and parades.

Lotte World is holding a special parade where performers wearing colorful “Hanbok” (Korean traditional costume) will play traditional Korean instruments as they sing and dance. Seoul Land is also hosting a Pond Smelt Festival consisting of a sledding slope, fishing area, indoor children’s playground and food trucks selling delicious food.

2. Korean Royal Palaces

If the royal palaces are somewhere you’ve been meaning to visit, Seollal is the perfect time to go. Four of the royal palaces in Seoul (Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung) will be open and will showcase different programs for the guests.

Programs include traditional rituals and games, activities that you can participate in and performances like the famous “changing of the guards” ceremony with the palace as the perfect backdrop. You can also have an in-depth tour of the Korean royal palaces here.

3. National Folk Museum of Korea

You may perceive museums as mundane places, but head to one during Seollal and you’ll find that it’s actually quite fun and exciting!

During Seollal, the National Folk Museum of Korea, located in Gyeongbokgung Palace offers a range of hands-on programs and exhibitions such as arts and crafts and traditional folk games for visitors of all ages to enjoy.

You can try playing Korean traditional games like “paengichigi (top spinning)”, “jegichagi (hacky sack)” and “yutnori (a board game where you throw sticks)”.

4. Namsangol Hanok Village

The Namsangol Hanok Village is a collection of five traditional Korean houses from the Joseon Dynasty that have been restored. As part of the Seollal festivities, here you can register for various experiences involving Korean traditional percussions, folk songs, games and more. It’s sure to be a lot of fun!

5. Korean Folk Village

The Korean Folk Village is also hosting Seollal events such as folk games and traditional Korean music performances.

There are also performances like tightrope walking, horseback martial arts and role playing by actors donned in makeup and outfits that make it look like they’re from the Joseon dynasty.

Have a private tour to the UNESCO-designated Suwon Hwaseong Fortress and Korean Folk Village in one day here.

6. National Gugak Center

The National Gugak Center is a place that preserves and promotes Korean traditional music and performances.

During Seollal, there are special cultural performances about the history of Korea that are both educational and entertaining!

Other destinations to visit during Seollal holiday in Seoul

Other major tourist attractions that are also open during the Korean Lunar New Year holiday period include COEX Aquarium, N Seoul Tower and Myeong Dong Nanta Theatre. All of them are easy to reach by subway and they are truly wonderful places to visit with your family and friends and have a great time together.

So, what are you waiting for? Do try a visit to one of these spots during Seollal!

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